Sharkbite Connection systems (plumbing)

Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:14 pm

I recently (yesterday) had to replace our quickly failing water heater. I did my research as usual and decided it would be a task I could handle, especially when I saw a tip on the Sharkbite water heater connectors. I have done plumbing with copper and have sweated my share of pipes, but it's never fun for me, because I don't enjoy getting burned; like I usually do with a torch and hot dripping solder. I know it's cheaper to solder, but as a non-professional home repair person, save yourself some trouble and time and spend a few extra bucks on these handy inventions. I had the water heater installed in about a hour and hot water in two hours -- not bad for a amateur, if I say so myself.

I can't say enough about how much I like using their products whenever I have to do some pluming work around the house.

Picture of installation -- note the S in the right (hot) side. This is where the feeds did not match up between the old and new heater. The sharkbite makes for an easy match-up without having to do some screwy soldering work.

PS: I also used their products to install a new sink, faucet and disposer last year and was very impressed then, so I had no qualms about using them on the water heater.

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Re: Sharkbite Connection systems (plumbing)

Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:55 am

Ditto on the Sharkbite fittings........they are worth the extra money when you're bent over, upside down and cramped.....

Re: Sharkbite Connection systems (plumbing)

Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:56 am

I have been using these connectors for several years, at the recommendation of my son in law, who works maint. in the local hospital. Last week I had a frozen pipe that burst when it thawed,(Pex) pipe. It took me less than a minute to cut a new piece of pipe, removed the bad section and install the new pipe. In my opinion they are great. I also learned tha if you don't have the plastic tool to remove these fittings, just use pliers or I used vice grips and adjusted them down to where they just slid over the pipe and you can release the fitting in a flash and you are ready to install a new pipe Berlin

Re: Sharkbite Connection systems (plumbing)

Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:02 pm

Ditto. Used them about two years ago to replace my water heater. Went in w/o a issue. Also used them when installed a sink in the basement and replace the shutoff valve on my water service entrance. Highly recommend them.

Re: Sharkbite Connection systems (plumbing)

Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:57 am

The only problem I have had with them is when you need the pipe not to spin. Other than that, they are great!

Re: Sharkbite Connection systems (plumbing)

Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:39 am

I'll add my two sense. Sharkbite is great for repairs especially if you need to connect copper to copper, or cooper to pex but the cost will add up quickly. I recently replaced all the cold water lines on first floor of my house with pex and using crimp rings instead of sharkbites paid for the tool and saved $.

Re: Sharkbite Connection systems (plumbing)

Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:07 am

This is a little off the topic, but it is amazing how much less problems you haw with plumbing, including water heaters if you have a water softener. a couple of notes tough, the water does not taste the same once it goes through one so it is a good idea to plumb the faucet you get your drinking water from around it. the second note is the new salt free ones (seed type softeners) are good for the on demand water heaters but still leave a calcium residue that builds up in the standard hot water heaters.